Independent Living Skills Counselor

Summary & Purpose

Mission: C2i exists to provide unique programming and advocacy for foster youth, ages 14-25, to promote a successful and healthy transition to living independently as they reach adulthood.

Values: It is Connections to Independence belief and culture that:

• All positive interactions begin with the healthy development and nurturing of genuine relationships.
• Every youth is respected and feels safe to express their unique selves in a stable, trusting, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment.
• Youth voice is supported and reflected in everything we do.
• All youth are connected to community resources and circles of support that fit their unique needs and goals.
• C2i staff, board and community partners demonstrate genuine passion, compassion, understanding and commitment to the holistic development of youth in foster care.

Core Competencies: C2i has a unique holistic approach to moving youth on to living independently when they reach adulthood that focuses on a healthy mind, body and soul. All youth will develop and achieve goals/outcomes in the following areas:
Housing, Employment, Education, Financial Literacy, and Personal Wellness.

Vision: To end the cycle of foster care by creating a world that empowers youth to thrive for future generations.

Purpose: To facilitate, coordinate, and monitor the academic, vocational, personal, social, and recreational development of participants enrolled in C2i - collaborate with C2i staff, county workers, and other community supports to aid youth in reaching their self-directed goals

Case Management & Client Support - 70%

• Provide individual support and services to youth through 1-on-1 meetings and case management
• Ensure youth have supportive long-term relationships developed with members of their communities
• Provide internal and external resources for former foster youth and families in the areas of basic needs, housing, mental health, education, financial wellness, employment, and personal wellness to enable them to sustain and thrive in a healthy living environment and progress on their goals
• Connect young people to other resources in areas outside of C2i’s expertise
• Help build a healthy circle of unpaid supportive adults and chosen family to support them with their life-long goals
• Advocate with and for youth in a holistic manner where support is needed
• Collaborate with C2i team in their areas of expertise to help youth progress on their goals
• Document all interactions with youth and their circle of support

Program Planning & Facilitation - 20%

• Help plan and co-facilitate independent living skills training and all other workshops and group activities
• Ensure that program activities follow curriculum goals and objectives - conduct program planning with youth and staff to achieve objectives
• Be available for occasional weekends, evening events, and additional activities as needed
• Provide transportation for youth to and from programming, activities, and to other appointments as needed
• Document all interactions with youth and their circle of support

Data Collection & Reporting - 10%

• Maintain youth files with case notes and all required enrollment and program forms
• Write progress reports and all other documentation as requested
• Assist with the collection of data as needed for reporting

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of school/work experience
• Minimum two years working with county connected youth and/or transition age youth
• Knowledge and experience working with Google Suite, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and the Internet
• A valid MN driver’s license with no moving violations within the last three years
• Experience working with diverse populations and county connected youth

Preferences

• Lived experience in foster care or connection to the child welfare system
• Experience working with youth of varying academic and ability levels
• General knowledge of community resources in the areas of education, housing, and employment
• Program development, implementation, and evaluation skills
• Experience utilizing HMIS
• Experience working with housing authorities and accessing housing vouchers

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to sit and stand periodically for extended periods of time and engage in light physical activities
• Ability to work both in an office setting and occasionally in the outdoors

Benefits & PTO

Full benefits package offered, including 401(k) with match, premium healthcare plan with HSA contribution, and generous PTO plan, including separate vacation and sick time

To apply

Send resume and cover letter to jobs

Connections to Independence is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.